My Surprise Mate

Dane moved Kyra’s bassinet from the living room into our bedroom.

As I got Kyra situated in our room, Dane went outside to talk to the guys and fill them in.

He wasn’t gone long and told me our house would be guarded from now until Devin is found.I had this gut feeling there was more going on than we realized.I couldn’t sleep at all, and Dane slept off and on.I lay there watching Kyra most of the night and every little noise I heard had me sitting up in bed.

Kyra woke up around five that morning and I decided to stay up for the day.

After getting us both dressed, I headed to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Kyra seemed to be her normal happy self just like any other morning, blissfully unaware of what was going on.

Unsure if all three guys had stayed outside all night or not, I opened the front door and stepped out to find Zayd standing near the steps, "Good morning," I told him.

He smiled at me as he walked up the steps, "Morning dear.You should still be asleep."

He pulled me in for a hug.

Zayd and Adria acted like parents I never had, and they always seemed to help ease my worries.

"I couldn’t sleep and, besides, Kyra woke up hungry this morning."

he smiled and nodded his head, "well she is a growing girl, and we tend to eat more than normal humans."

"l was going to offer some breakfast and coffee but wasn’t sure or Colby.

"I'll take some coffee," Zayd replied.

"Me too!" I turned to find Ash walking toward the porch.

Neither of them looked as tired as I felt this morning.I led them into the kitchen and started pouring them each a cup while they sat down at the table.

"Good morning little princess," Zayd cooed to Kyra.She smiled brightly at him as he picked her up.

"Did y’all stay outside the whole night?" I questioned them.

"Yes and no,"

Ash started, "Four people were guarding all night, but we did rotate out with three of our best warriors to be able to squeeze in a little sleep."

I nodded in understanding as I handed them their mugs.

"Don’t forget Adria was here periodically through the night too."

"I had no idea she was out here too."

I watched as Zayd and Ash exchanged a knowing look, "What you have never seen is pissed off Adria when her family is being threatened.She wasn’t necessarily coming out to help guard but more to make sure we were doing it the ‘right’ way."

Both guys began to laugh, "she had us stationed around the house so there wasn’t a single side left unprotected, and every 15 minutes we had to switch spots to keep us alert."

Zayd was shaking his head as he spoke.

Dane walked into the kitchen wearing only a pair of sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his hips.

"Did we wake you?" I asked as he wrapped his arms around me and rested his head on top of mine.

He was watching Zayd playing with Kyra.

"No, you didn’t wake me.It’s just time to get up."

The front door opened as Adria came rushing in, have no idea how much trouble you two were fixing to be in." she pointed her finger at Ash and Zayd.

"Holly invited us in for coffee,"

Zayd started telling her as he walked toward her with Kyra, "you know I would never leave this angel unprotected."

Adria sighed, "I know honey, I just...I won’t let them get to her."

Zayd handed Kyra to her, "None of us will,"

Ash finally spoke.

I looked at Dane when there was a light knock at the door, "It’s Genesis and Blaze,"

Ash said as he went to open the door.

"Good morning,"

Genesis greeted as she followed Blaze into the house.

Blaze went straight to Adria and began talking to Kyra.

After setting Kyra on her playmat, Adria came and sat down at the table with us, "Should we have our meeting now or later in the office?"

She cut straight to the point.

"We just need Colby here and we can do it now.No reason to wait." I answered.

"He’s on his way,"

Dane reached over, slipping his hand into mine.

a seat at the table with the rest

and received many gasps and

talking, making me feel as if they knew something the rest

it?" I finally asked, looking back

are some things that just haven’t

my

I stared at him, "Like

questioned further when he didn’t elaborate friendly, maybe a little too friendly, and when he told us about the prophecy, he said he

and Nyla were able to not only bring him down but wound him

disrespect from anyone.He’s a very strict ruler.His command alone

I

me, "I wish that I could believe that babe, but in all honesty, Apollo could have taken them

think of anything that seemed odd, but other than what Dane pointed out, I couldn’t remember anything that would make me feel as though he

think Apollo is a part

Zayd this time who

we think Apollo is more a part of this than any of us realized.I know this isn’t something you want to

Zayd told me gently.

heart ached a little at the thought of being betrayed by my father, the father lam just starting

do you think you could

can about this prophecy.Ash and Colby, I need training kicked back up and regular sweeps up to

a resounding, "Yes Alpha" filled the

to the door as everyone slowly left, "When your dad calls, you need to act

sat down next to me.I

replied, not really

going to the packhouse soon.I have some phone calls to make.Do you want to stay home today,

packhouse." I

can go together.I don’t want you out walking around by yourself,

nodded at him in

be? We walked together to the packhouse, stopping a few times to speak

door to his where

books in front of them that looked to be hundreds of years

"Any luck?"

sat Kyra down in her bounce seat.I’m pretty sure Kyra has toys, playpens, and play mats in every room in

shaking their

Adria replied.

flipped through the pages

in this one that it is rare, but the Moon Goddess has appeared in dreams before.But it doesn’t really go into details or

she

Blaze and I will

as Dane walked through the door, "Any luck?" he asked

reading and stood stretching her limbs out, "Not yet dear.Where is

said he would meet us downstairs for lunch,"

on the wall above the

explain Kyra’s

little girl isn’t about to miss a meal,

all headed downstairs together, meeting up with everyone as

in her highchair between her and

I couldn’t help but realize that even though Apollo has been friendly

mainly on Kyra and how she

think it was

the prophecy, or how things were going there, Apollo would always quickly

be," I murmured lost

think we should talk privately after

became one of worry,

I know that Dane doesn’t really trust him, but could Apollo be the mastermind behind this? I didn’t know Devin

stomach felt like it was twisted into a thousand knots.I didn’t want to believe that Apollo’s intentions had been anything but good—unfortunately, it looked like

so they could take a

brains behind all of this," I stated not

in surprise at

have regular phone calls with him.Every phone call is about me and Kyra, mainly Kyra though.Anytime I ask about Devin, or how things are going there, or the prophecy, he is quick to change the subject or gives me very vague answers in return.Then there is the whole "attack".. that really doesn’t make any

room was engulfed in silence once I

pacing the office

is playing a part, but whether he is the brains or not I can’t say.I think that Devin is cleverer than you think.We definitely shouldn't underestimate

my head as I

did the

I looked at Zayd.

said he was on the phone before lunch, and I am assuming or hoping, it

doesn’t like to talk on the phone much, but he did say he was planning to come and speak with us.He

scrunched my face a little, "Why

me, "Vampires are very private, secretive

he led me to sit down, "And your pacing is about to drive me crazy,

with a sigh, wishing none of

looked at Zayd, "I

very few people I fully trust to discuss this with.He asked about the bordering land.He wants to move his pack

whole pack, but then again, there aren't too many things he wouldn’t

he felt he needed to move his pack next

he want to do that?" I finally

he has good reason to do it.Dayton said his loyalty lies with his family and, as far as the Royal Pack goes, his loyalty is with

his loyalty wasn’t with Apollo, but with

me, but he has been willing to stand beside us without

will have Adria call him

chair, "remind Ash and Colby that

alone in the office, the silence